Manila: Malaysia’s World No. 12 men’s pair Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2019 SEA Games men’s double event, after defeating Cambodian pair Leng Sopheaktra/Saom Dyna 21-9, 21-5 on Friday. In fact, Chia/Soh have proved that they may have the best chance to win their maiden SEA Games gold in Manila after defeating No. 1 seeds Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia 21-17, 21-13 in the men’s team final.
According to Chia, they have a very high chance of meeting Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto again in the men’s doubles final that will take place next Monday.
“The victory over them in the final of the team event has definitely boosted our confidence. It is our hope to win gold for Malaysia,” said Chia.
“However, we don’t want to be overly concerned because that could put unnecessary pressure on us. That’s why we should just focus on one game at a time,” added Chia.
The No. 2 seeds will play Terry Hee/Ade Yusuf Santoso of Singapore on Saturday.
Another Malaysia men’s pair, Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi also cruised into the quarter-finals after seeing off Cambodian pair Cheng Phorrom/Sieng Kimhong 21-10, 21-10 in just 16 minutes. Ong/Teo will next meet home shuttlers Peter Gabriel Magnaye/Alvin Morada.
The last time Malaysia had won a men’s doubles SEA Games gold medal was in the 2003 Ho Chi Minh City SEA Games, when Choong Tan Fook/Lee Wan Wah defeated compatriots Chew Choon Eng/Chang Kim Wai 15-5, 15-6.
